Gov. Paul LePage announced he may not certify the results from a historic vote Tuesday because he is opposed to a new way of voting.

But Maine’s secretary of state said the governor doesn’t certify primary elections anyway, and is constitutionally required to proclaim the results of a referendum.

Maine primary results could be delayed at least 6 days while ranked-choice votes are counted
Tuesday is the first time in Maine where voters statewide will use a ranked-choice system, which allows voters to submit a ballot that ranks votes for candidates in order of preference. It is being used in both parties’ voting for gubernatorial candidates, a race for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. House in the state’s 2nd Congressional District, and a state legislative seat. There is also a referendum question to retain ranked-choice voting, which is under threat from a measure in the Legislature.